Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Railway Overbridge
Butetown, Cardiff, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 8 November 1989
- Locality
- North Butetown
- Community
- Butetown
- Unitary authority
- Cardiff
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.47488, -3.17200
- Cadw reference
- 13962
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
To S of junction with Herbert Street.
History
Carried Taff Vale Railway over the former spur of the Glamorganshire Canal leading into Bute West Dock. Canal filled in and arches blocked but railway bridge and embankment remains in use to Cardiff Bay Railway station. Probably constructed 1839-40 when the Bute West dock and Taff Vale Railway to Dock Station were constructed and opened in successive years. George Bush, resident engineer to I K Brunel, the eminent Victorian engineer, laid out the Taff Vale railway and supervised the construction of this bridge.
Exterior
Triple portal masonry bridge with wharfside paths flanking wide canal opening. Central segmental arch with bullnosed voussoirs (stepped on upper side) and coursed facings, plain cappings. Outer bays forward slightly with semi-circular arch rings. Convex and battered revetment wall sweeps forward at S side to meet outer pier set into embankment.
Ground level risen considerably at arches but left hand opening returns C19 railings and tapered polygonal ironwork piers (stamped Baylis and Co) to wide pedestrian gate with punched Gothic detailing to hinge plate. Part remains of railings to right hand arch. The E side facing Collingdon Road appears similar but is partly masked by later widnening of railway with bow-shaped plated girder bridge. Heavily overgrown at time of inspection (autumn 1997).
Reason for designation
An exceptionally early railway overbridge with fine masonry, on historically important Taff Vale Railway.
Nearby in the register
- Warehouse on corner of Lloyd George Avenue and Herbert StreetCommercialunder 1 mi
- Warehouse Adjacent to Marquess of Bute's WarehouseCommercialunder 1 mi
- Greek Orthodox Church of St NicholasReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Marquess of Bute's WarehouseCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.